Parque Eduardo VII, Lisbon Portugal

When we were staying at out 4th AirBnB in Lisboa discovery mode was near the Amoreiras shopping center, I knew the area was more on the business/residential side – which I was looking for after a 10-day stay in the very fun (but loud) Alfama neighborhood. As usual, I started researching for places to explore. Sono un appassionato camminatore, so I was excited to be near (15 minutes by foot) to Parque Eduardo VII. My hopes were soon dashed as I read what a disappointing park it was on Tripadvisor.

***Update – in 2016, this park underwent major renovations. It is prettier than ever and so worth the visit. It is so pretty that I actually ended up choosing the neighborhood for the park, Avenidas Novas when I decided to move to Lisbon.

Marques de Pombal Square: ca 1934

This 118 ft monumento alto si trova al centro di una piazza, alla fine di Avenida Liberdade, and right before the start of the park. E 'impressionante, to say the least. The first register of the sculpture is filled with turbulent, scene di tensione raffiguranti il ​​terremoto. A male nude figure struggles to hold up columns of a crumbling building. Un polpo invade a terra in quanto è portato lì dalle acque violente. The next register shows scenes of order, growth, and commerce. A strong woman pulls along cattle as a man next to her carries the harvest. A man behind her plows the land, and a young man carries a cornucopia. A large figurehead in the front of the group holds the Portuguese shield. Above her, a female nude triumphantly draws the eye to the top of the monument, where a bronze sculpture of the Marques stands victorious with a lion. There is much more to the monument, so go and enjoy it, but make sure to bring sunscreen and a hat. There is no covering here. Also, be careful crossing the street to see it. E 'una bella incrocio importante e automobili tendono ad andare veloce intorno alla rotonda.

Geometric Gardens at Parque Eduardo VII

As you stare up from the Marques monument, your eyes are led up to the top of the park by way of a green strip of geometric gardens. I found them lovely, but I can see how people may find them dull. There is also no covering from the sun here, so walk up on the side where there is sporadic shade from trees. This is also where everyone brings their dogs to play on sunny afternoons.

There are many ponds with fish at the greenhouse in Eduardo VII park in Lisbon

My favorite spot at the park is the Estufa Fria. It’s an eight-hectare greenhouse that was erected around 1930 by architect Raul Carapinha. It is so big that there are actually three greenhouses here. Prima di arrivare, you will note a lake with tons of fowl. Follow this into the building with the unremarkable facade. This is the entrance and largest part of the greenhouse; il fria estufa. One can easily get lost here. It can also be a workout if you want it to be and if you want to get to the Estufa quente quali contiene piante tropicali della serra. Vi è anche un estufa doce, which houses cacti and succulents.

25 of April Monument: João Cutileiro

Am I crazy to see a resemblance here?

Se sei pazzo come me e farlo alla cima della collina, you will reach a small esplanade with four large pillars and a fountain that commemorates the Revolution of 1974. This spot also has a gorgeous view of the Tagus river and the city. The fountain kinda looks like an ejaculating phallus…but maybe my mind is in the gutter today. You can judge for yourself. This is also where everyone goes to watch the fireworks on New Year’s Eve.

Jardim Amália Rodrigues

A bronze sculpture of Mother and Child by Colombian artist Fernando Botero at Jardim Amália Rodrigues in Lisbon Portugal

This garden, dedicated to the famous fadista Amalia. It’s also got a mother and child by Fernando Botero (I was born in Colombia – so I got a little excited at this). At this park, you will find some food trucks, an amphitheater of sorts and Eleven restaurant (1 Michelin Star).

This cafe is a great place to eat when you are at either Eduardo VII or Amalia Rodriguez parks

C'è un grazioso piccolo caffè qui con una specie di lago pieno di pesci. When I visited the Lisboetas brought their dogs here for a “swim”. I loved this! When the schools do their Praxes ceremonies (the equivalent of US college hazing…but not as serious (although the Portuguese think it is), this is where inductees are baptized. It’s just a cool place.

O Segredo: ca 1961 Lagoa Henriques

O Segredo is a sculpture by Lagoa Henriques that resides at Amalia Rodriguez park

I could not help but think of the LGBT struggle while looking at this sculptural group. Io non sono davvero sicuro se l'artista ha significato perché questo avvenga, but it did. Ho fatto qualche lettura, and the sculptor was quoted as saying “It is not a piece made to order. Did it for me, was made to play a daze”. Il segreto può essere qualsiasi cosa, and I think it is up to the viewer to figure it out. Make sure to peek into these gorgeous ladies.

Carlos Lopes Pavilion: ca 1923

This gorgeous building has fallen into disrepair but holds on to its past splendor

Guilherme e Carlos Rebello de Andrade e Alfredo Assunção Santos

This is one of those places that used to break your heart, but was recently preserved and now looks gorgeous. It’s a sign of Portugal’s progress. This white and ochre building was erected for the 1923 Rio de Janeiro Expo and was brought back and rebuilt at the park in 1932 for the Portuguese Industrial Exhibition. It became a meeting place, concert, and a sports hall. It had fallen into disrepair. Outside of the building are some of the prettiest tile paintings in the city. The azulejo pannelli sono stati realizzati da Jorge Colaco, and the sculptures by Raul Xavier. I am leaving the old picture up so that when you get to visit Parque Eduardo VII, you can see just how much work was done. The building is now used for conferences, feste, and pop-ups.

A reclining female nude that has been defaced at the park. This just makes me angry.

This piece broke my heart when I first saw it. I cannot understand why people decide to vandalize art. I understand the anger at the government, but I cannot understand why people feel the need to deface art. I wonder if this was disenfranchised youth or a stupid tourist. It is not ok to deface art. My hopes that people continue to visit Lisbon and spend more money there so that at some point, once the country bounces back financially, there would enough money to pay this young lady some well-deserved attention came true. She is now grafitti free and looks divine. She reminds me of early Etruscan sculptures and some of Picasso’s work from the early 1920’s. Mi piace che lei è corpulenta e spessa e bella Se sei al parco, stop by, take some pics and give her some love so you can bring this lovely lady some more attention. She deserves it.

2. Food Trucks: At the top of the hill, right behind the 25th of April monument, by the amphitheater of Amalia Rodrigues, there are food trucks selling burgers, Japanese food, etc.. Non c'è copertura qui, so this is more your grab and go place.

3. Linha d’Agua: This is all the way at the top of the park at the Amalia Rodrigues garden. Ha una buona lista di cocktail e vende snack leggeri e dolci. Great spot. This would be my pick.

5. Praia No Parque: has replaced the old Restaurante Botequim Do Rei. I haven’t made it there yet, but look forward to trying it out.

6. El Corte Ingles: non tecnicamente in il parco, ma a circa un isolato. The supermarket downstairs has tons of places to eat and the upstairs area now has a gourmet food court showcasing some of Portugal’s best chefs (who all happen to be male – but don’t get me started there).

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About Me

My name is Blanca and I run a few startups called FriendsEAT and Socialdraft. I travel alot. I have lived in 10+ countries and visited over 30+. Currently I live in Lisboa, Portugal. You can follow my thoughts and experiences on this blog. Hope to hear from you.